the post where Kourtney announces her pivot

It has been an immense pleasure and learning experience to have been Co-Community Manager with Rainforest Alberta for two years. It’s also incredibly difficult to be leaving without being able to say goodbye in person.

The community took a chance on me, the tech un-savvy, who as Mackenzie liked to joke, thought full stack referred to pancakes. I am still learning and believe I will never really stop as technology continues to disrupt us.

I am so fortunate to have found amazing people to call mentors, friends, and role-models through this community. I have met talented, smart, kind, and determined people. I’ve been challenged, and you’ve let me challenge you too. I couldn’t ask for a better role to help me realize the potential and capacity I have to champion a bright and bold future for Calgary.

I’m stepping away at the end of 2020 to focus on a new goal, the ambitious one of being elected for Calgary City Council. Rainforest and the community has taught me to approach this challenge with an open mind, use data, be innovative, use more data, pivot when needed, and to use more data. Rainforest has shown me that the collective is better when the sum of its parts move together, openly, with trust, with room for everybody at the table, and with curiosity to know more.

I want to call out a few people who have made the last few years extra special.

To Mackenzie who brought this ignorant lady into the fold, and to Brigitte who took the hard blow of me leaving just weeks into starting - both of you are fierce advocates for change and I so appreciate what you both have taught me. To Steven in the middle of it all, who made me laugh yet kept me accountable to action. Aaron in Edmonton, thank you for working with me and being one of the most dedicated people I have ever met to supporting innovation in Alberta. Al has been a shining light of consistency and tenacity, who has been an arm to lean on from the beginning as both an educator and friend. Jim has been a constant source of inspiration and has modelled an abundance mindset to me. His outlook and optimism is continually a guiding light. Brad is the very foundation of trust. I have always felt capable and encouraged from his permissive leadership along his open-minded, willing, and inclusive approach. Those of you who come to LWOL weekly, laugh at my absurd topics, have gone with the flow of trying new formats, and who are all the while building community and companies, thank you. 

Outside of the core Rainforest group I’ve found peers and friends through the Calgary Innovation Coalition - at Platform, Startup Calgary, SAIT, and beyond. I want to take all of you on this next step with me, building a smart, resilient, and innovative city.

This is the point when the orchestra would start playing to get me off the stage. To the community - thank you. You are the heart and hustle of the innovation ecosystem. Continue to build each other up, extend a hand, and practice the social contract daily.

Wishing all of you the best and more!

​Kourtney